Symptom Tests for Adults

Auditory Processing Disorder Symptom Test for Adults

Adults with auditory processing disorder may struggle to understand and communicate with the world. Though most symptoms are diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, these lingering signs at home and work could point to APD, particularly in adults with ADHD / ADD.

By ADDitude Editors Verified Medically reviewed by Lois Heymann, M.A. CCC-SLP, ADDitude’s ADHD Medical Review Panel Updated on September 27, 2022
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“Garbled.” That’s how many adults describe communicating and living with auditory processing disorder (APD). APD makes it difficult to understand and interpret information presented orally. This may manifest as poor listening skills, poor reading comprehension, or miscommunication that causes trouble with coworkers, partners, family and friends. For many people, living with APD is like trying to listen on a cell phone with the signal cutting in and out.

This test was adapted from the symptoms of auditory processing disorder (APD) as described by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This is not a diagnostic tool. An accurate diagnosis can only be made through clinical evaluation. For personal use only.

In conversations, do you feel like you’re missing something?

Would you rather express yourself in an email or essay, and avoid phone calls and presentations?

Is spell-check is your best friend?

At work, are you distracted and do you have trouble focusing, especially when working in an open floor plan or cubicle without a door?

Though most people consider them logistically easier than face –to-face meetings, do conference calls at work really stress you out?

When you go out with friends at a noisy bar, do you have trouble following what’s going on?

Do you mis-hear words that rhyme or sound alike, leading to confusion and frustration?

Do you listen to the TV at high volume, but still have trouble understanding what’s going on, especially if anyone talks during the program?

Do you fail to understand why people like live concerts, or singing karaoke?

If you’ve been tested for hearing problems, did the results show no abnormal hearing problems?

Do you fail to notice your cell phone ringing and miss important calls?

In school, did you struggle through language arts and other lecture-intensive classes? 

Do everyday noises like the vacuum cleaner or blender bother you or “hurt” your ears? 


(Optional) Would you like to receive your auditory processing disorder test results — plus more helpful resources — via email from ADDitude?